Standing Up For Israel

The Importance of the US-Israel Relationship

Dear Mr. or Madam President,

Ever since I can remember, I have grown up hearing my family share their love and support for the state of Israel. As I have grown up in a Jewish home, my family has always emphasized the importance of Israel. It was not until I traveled there in the summer of 2015, that I truly saw for myself what an extraordinary place Israel is. It was one of the most eye opening experiences and I was so moved by the love and passion that Israelis had for their country. It is incredible how people from all over the world, from all different religions, denominations of Judaism are able to come together in Israel.

I realize that it is my responsibility to educate and inform others about Israel. My dad and I traveled to Washington D.C. last March, and attended the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference with over 60,000 people in attendance. We learned about a myriad of reasons why the US and Israel should maintain their strong relationship, and we lobbied our congressmen regarding different issues. Different presidential candidates spoke to ensure their support for the Jewish state.

I want to assure that when you are in office, the state of Israel will not be forgotten or be in the back of your busy brain. While to many people, the state of Israel seems like a petty idea, it is vital to continue to have a strong relationship. You should understand that Israel stands with us, always will, and always have. Unlike a countless other nations, Israel shares much of western culture and respect for the values our nation was created under. In addition, Israel has by far the strongest military presence in the Middle East. America should always ally itself with strength. Israel is a vigorous and durable democracy, in fact, the only one in the Middle East. Therefore, Israel gives its citizens the opportunity to have say in both domestic and foreign policies. Additionally, the economic relations between our country and Israel are quite strong, I want to be sure that they remain this way. I am sure you are aware of the Israel Free Trade Agreement which was the first FTA entered into by the United States. According to the Executive Office of the President, "it continues to serve as the foundation for expanding trade and investment between the United States and Israel by reducing barriers and promoting regulatory transparency. U.S. goods and services trade with Israel totaled $46 billion in 2013."

Unfortunately, as Israel continues to receive more and more criticism, it is even more important that you really take care of ensuring an extremely strong relationship.

#2nextprez

Letters to the Next President 2.0 engaged and connected young people, aged 13-18, as they researched, wrote, and made media to voice their opinions on issues that mattered to them in the 2016 Presidential Election.

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